Journal box lubricator



Jan. 2, 1940. f E LANGDQN 2,185,792

JOURNAL BOX LUBRICATUR `Filed Feb. 8, 1939 MW M ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 2, 1940 UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE y 9 Claims.

My invention relates to journal box lubricators and more particularly to the typesused on locomotives.

'I'he principal object of my invention is to l provide a baille member especially designed to be attached to and cooperate with the existing conventional type of lubricant distributing plate associated with locomotive journal vbox lubricators,

for reducing the amount of waste lubricant to after illustrated and/or described.

In the drawing'V wherein 'like numerals represent like parts: l I

25 Fig. 1 is atransverse vertical sectional view through a journal box and associated lubricator to which an `embodiment of-myinvention has been applied, v

Fig. 2 is a sectional-view at right anglesto that practical standpoint will be apparent as herein' I 30 show n in Figure 1 taken on linevA-A thereof,'

Fig. 3 isa perspective viewof a conventional.

type ofvlubricant distributing plate showing the application of an embodiment 'of my invention thereto, and

-ll l Fig, 4 is a perspective view of another form of 4myimproved lubricant distributing plate em,

bodying my invention.

In Figures rand 2 of the dawingwhich show vthe `conventional type of locomotive driving box` n with associated journal and journalv lubricating equipment now'in general Iuse modified `to em-v body my invention, I is the driving. boxhavingfav.- brass orbearing 12 positioned between the upper' part thereof and theuppervsurface of the Vjournal3. A grease cellar 4 is removably 'supporte'di inthe lowerpart of driving box I by. means cf j l boltsS' extendingthrough aperturedlugs 6 on the journal box and cellar. .A` follower plate'V 1 is 50 urgedupwardly against a grease cake 8 by means of coil spring Si positioned between Vfollower plate l 'I and the bottom wall IU of cellar 4. The grease cake 8 carries a lubricant distributing plate I3 positioned on its uppergsurface and fills substan- I tially the entire space between the side walls II and I2 of cellar 4, thefollower plate 'I and the lubricant distributing plate I3.

The lubricant distributing plate I3, shown in detail in Figure 3, comprises a curved portion 32 adapted to flt concentrically around the lower 5 surface of the journal 3, said curved portion 32 providedwith depending side flanges I5 and I6 and depending end flanges I1 and I8, said side flanges slidably positioned against side walls II and I2 respectively of cellar 4, and said end 10 fianges having slits 3I. The width of the curved portion 32 of the lubricant distributing plate I3 is substantially the same as the diameter of journal 3.

Curved portion 32 of the lubricant distribut- 15 ing plate I3 comprises acurved member I4 containing perforations I9 distributed throughout its entire surface, and an imperforated baffle member having a central opening or window,

said baille member positioned adjacent to and-20 contiguous with the convex surface of the peo ripheral marginal portion of the curved member I4. The perforations I9, distributed throughout the entireperipheral marginal portion of the curved member I4, are transformed into pockets opening onthe concave surface of said peripheral ymarginal portion of said curved member I4 by baille member 2U. The lubricant distributing plate I3 comprises the entire structure po.

sitionedon and supported by the upper surface ,of the grease cake 8, and also positioned be- .tweensaid upper surface of the grease cake 8 and the lower surface of the journal 3 for the purpose of distributing lubricant over the surface of said journal 3. The distributing plate I3 may 35 be constructed of sheet metal or other suitable material.

A pair of eye bolts 2l are attached to the foll'owe'r plate 1 and extend downwardly through holes inthe bottom wall I0 of the grease cellar o 4'and `constitute a means for retracting the fol- 'ilower-plate 'I when changing the grease cake and also for indicating, by their exposed portions, the amount of unconsumed grease.

.Figure f4 of the drawing shows lanother form 45 of lubricant distributing plate 22 embodying my invention. Curved portion 23 of lubricant distributingplate 22 has its central portion provided With'fperforations 24 and its peripheralmarginal I imperforated portion, which surrounds the central perforated portion, provided with pockets 25, saidfindentations being distributed throughout the concave surface of said peripheral marginal portion. Curved portion 23 is provided with depending side flanges 26 and 2l and de- 55 tion of any embodiment of my invention there-A to. Batlle member 20, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, should be omitted when considering the following description of said conventional driving box, leaving curved member I4 alone constituting the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate I3.

Driving box I is positioned in pedestals which form a part of the locomotive frame not shown in the drawing. Bearing 2 distributes the load to the upper surface of the axle journal 3 and is lubricated by lubricant applied to the lower surface of said journal.

The lubricant is provided in the form of a grease cake 8 with a distributing plate I3 supported on its upper surface. -The curved portion of the distributing plate I3 consists of a curved member I4, perforated throughout its entire surface, and curved to conform to the lower curved surface of the journal 3, said curved member I4 provided with depending side flanges I5 and I6 and depending end flanges II and I8. The end flanges I1 and I8 are usually slitted in order to permit a slight change in the curvature of the curved member I4 of plate I3 as an aid in maintaining the best conformity between the concave surface of the curved member I4 of the distributing plate I3 and the lowersurface of the journal 3.

The grease cake 8 is positioned in a removable grease ce'llar 4 the sides II and I2 of which act as guides against which the flanges I and I6 of the distributing plate I3 move. The grease cake 8 is urged toward the journal 3 by spring 9 which is compressed between the follower plate 1 and the bottom wall I0 of the cellar 4. The removable cellar 4 is held in place by bolts 5. The width of the lubricating plate I3 is approximately the same as the diameter of journal. 3 so that the grease cake 8 llls substantially the entire space between the follower 1, the side walls II and I2 of cellar 4 and the curved member I4 of distributing plate I3.

It will be noted that the pressure of the spring 9 not only forces the grease cake up against the convex surface of the curved member of the distributing plate, but also forces the entire concave surface of the curved member of the distributing plate against the lower surface of the journal. As the journal rotates, the friction between the surface of the journal and the surface of the curved member of the distributing plate produces heat which in turn softens the uppermost layer of the grease cake causing the grease to feed through the perforations I9 and be wiped on the surface of the journal and thence to the bearing 2.

The lubricating means employed in the lubricators in general use at the present time has resulted in the waste of a large' proportion of the grease applied as well as high lubrication maintenance costs. The causes of the waste of lubricant will now be disclosed.

When a journal is new it has a certain` standard diameter and the perforated member I4 of the new distributing plate will be in contact with the journal throughout its entire area. The journal will contact and collect grease from all the perforations at a uniform rate provided the distributing plate has an even temperature. Due to the lateral oscillating movement of the Journal. a large amount of grease is ribboned out along both ends of the journal. This grease becomes contaminated with dirt which renders it unsuitable for reuse. The temperature of the hub end of the journal is usually higher than the tail end. The hubs of the driving Wheels which take the lateral thrust when a locomotive is traveling on a curve, experience relatively higher periodic temperatures. 'Ihis temperature difference between the hub and tail ends of the journal, which exists at certain times,. causes the grease to ow faster at the hub than at the tail, thereby causing the greasecake to become wedge shaped necessitating early removal duev to binding in the cellar and uneven feeding.

When the journal becomes worn 'or is redressed to remove irregularities, its diameter is decreased so that its associated lubricant distributing plate is not in contact with the surface of the journal throughout its entire area. Marginal areas on both sides of the perforated curved member I4 of the distributing plate are, therefore, not in contact with the surface of the Journal and the grease which feeds through the perforations in these marginal areas piles up in the space between the distributing plate and the surface of` the journal. Grease will continue to flow through the perforations in these marginal areas and be lost until the perforations become obstructed. In time the grease which is piled up on these marginal areas will become contaminated with dirt, and then considerable dirty grease is carried into the bearing at the rising side of the journal causing deleterious results. The contaminated grease which 1s piled up on the marginal area of the distributing plate at the descending side of the Journal is wiped into the lubricating area and becomes mixed with the fresh grease feeding through the perforations in the area of the distributing plate that is in contact with the journal. In practice the contaminated grease which piles `up on these marginal areas becomes hard and forms a cake whichAobstructs any further feeding of fresh grease through the perforations in these areas. When` a locomotive driving journal has been machined until its minimum diameter allowed by law has been reached, the width of the marginal areas on each side of the lubricating plate, which are not in contact with the journal, varies between oneand onehalf inches and two inches.

My invention consists of an improved lubricant distributing plate positioned between a grease cake and the surface of a journal, with its curved portion conforming to the curved surface of the journal, said curved portion having a central perforated portion surrounded by an imperforated peripheral marginal portion, said imperforated peripheral marginal portion having pockets distributed throughout its entire concave surface, and vsaid curved portion provided with side and end flanges depending from the side and end edges respectively of said curved portion.

'I'he principles underlying the operation of my improved lubricant distributing plate are as follows: Grease is fed through the perforations in the central portion of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate and works its way outwardly in all directions over the concave surface of the imperforated marginal portion of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate, filling the pockets therein. The lateral and circumferential movement of the journal aids in the distribution of the grease over the concave surface of the imperforated portion of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate. The upper surface of the grease cake, which presses against the convex surface of the imperforated marginal portion of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate, tends to resist the upward movement of the` grease cake toward the journal, thereby restricting the amount of grease fed through the perforated portion of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate to approximately the amount which may be usefully consumed. As the temperature of the journal rises, the upper portion of the grease cake is softened and feeds through the perforated portion of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate at an increased rate so as to satisfy the increasing requirement. A temporary temperature difference between the hub and tail ends of the journal does not result in any Waste of grease at the hub since the grease near the hub,

which has temporarily become softer than the rest of the grease, cannot escape before the temperature is equalized over the entire area of the metallic lubricant distributing plate. The pockets distributed throughout the concave surface of theimperforated portion of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate hold sufficient grease to care for temporary increased demands for lubricant until a replenishing supply arrives from the perforated portion of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate.

The principles of my invention may be applied to the conventional type of lubricant distributing plate, as shown in Figures l, 2 and 3 of the drawing, by the employment of a baille member 20 made of sheet metal or other suitable material and attached to the convex surface of the perforated curved member It of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate I3 so as to prevent the flow of grease through the perforations i9 in the peripheral marginal portion of the curved portion of the lubricant distributing piate. 'Ihe yblind perforations above the baille member 29 are transformed into pockets by the addition of baffle member 2D and function in the same manner as the pockets mentioned before. The side flanges l5 and i6 and the end flanges Il and I8 should preferably be imperforated so as to prevent the escape of grease at the sides and ends of the upper part of the grease cake which is adjacent to the curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate. The marginal width of the baffle members used in specimens of my invention in actual service was approximately one and one-half inches for ten inch journals.

Figure 4 of the drawing shows a lubricant distributing plate 22 especially constructed to embody the principles of my invention and this distributing plate operates in the same manner as the conventional plate I3 now -in general use with Ibaffle member 2U attached thereto.

Tests made with my invention show that lubricant waste has been practically eliminated and that the consumption of grease has been reduced from pounds to ounces per thousand miles traveled by locomotives operating in all services.

Having thus disclosed my invention, it will be apparent that I have provided a lubricating device which is economical in the consumption of lubricating ,material and which efficiently distributes the lubricant so as to safeguard the journal in a manner consistent with public safety. It is understood that modifications may be made in the form of my invention Without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1.'In a journal lubricator, a lubricant distributing plate comprising a curved portion for engaging the lower surface of a journal, flanges depending from the side and end edges of the curved portion, said curved portion having a central perforated portion surrounded by a marginal imperforated portion, said marginal imperforated portion having pockets throughout its concave surface.

2. In a journal lubricator, a lubricant distributing plate comprising a curved portion for engaging the lower surface of a journal, iianges depending from the side and end edges of the curved portion, saidl curved portion comprising a curved member perforated throughou and' means for closing the perforations located throughout the peripheral marginal portion of said perforated curved member, at the point Where they meet the convex surface of said perforated curved member to form pockets opening at the journal engaging surface of saidi curved portion.

3. The combination with a journal lubricant distributing plate comprising a curved portion for engaging the lower surface of a journal and flange members depending from the side and end edges thereof, said curved portion having a` curved member perforated throughout its surface, of an imperforated balile member positioned against the convex surface of the peripheral marginal portion of said perforated curved member.

4. lIn a journal lubricator, a lubricant distributing plate having a curved portion for engaging the lower surface of a journal, said curved portion havinga perforated. central portion surrounded lby a marginal imperforated portion, said marginal imperforated portion having pockets throughout its concave surface, flanges depending from the side and end edges of said curved portion, a cake of lubricating material disposed below the entire convex surface of said curved portion, and means for urging said cake of lubricating material toward the journal for the purpose of feeding lubricating material through the perforated central portion of the said curved portion, said means also support-ing said lubricant distributing plate against the journal.

5. In a journal lubricator, a lubricant distributing plate comprising a curved portion for engaging the lower surface of a journal and flange members depending from the side and end edges of the curved portion, said curved portion having a curved member perforated throughout its surface, an imperforated' baille member positioned against the convex surface of the peripheral marginalportion of .said perforated curved member, a cake of lubricating material disposed below -the convex surface of said perforated curved member and its associated baille member, and means for urging said cake of lubricating material through the portion of the perforated curved member not covered by said bale member, said ymeans also supporting said lubricant distributing plate against the journal.

6. In a journal lubricator, .a lubricant distributing plate comprising a curved portion for engaging the journal and flanges depending from the side and end edges of said curved portion, said curved portion having a curved member perforated throughout its surface, and lan imperforated baille member coextensive with and positioned adjacent to the convexvsurface of said curved perforated member and having a. central portion removed therefrom.

7. In a journal lu-bricator,y a lubricant distribluting plate having a portion curved for engaging the surface of a journal, said curved portion having a central perforated portion surrounded by a peripheral marginal imperforated portion containing pockets throughout the concave surface of said peripheral marginal imperforated portion.

portions, said end portions having pockets throughout the concave surfaces thereof, and flanges depending from the outer edges of said curved portion. j

9. In a journal lubricator lubricant distributing plate comprising a curved portion for engaging the surface of a journal, a portion of said' curved vportion being perforated for feeding lubricant to said journal, and flanges depending from the side and end edges of-said curved portion, imperforated marginal end portions of said curved portion of the lubricant distributing plate, said imperforated marginal end portions having pocketsl through-out the concave surfaces thereof.

FRED C. LANGDON. 

